You will think about Keep Me long after you're done!
Overall
4.5
Keep Me Book Cover Keep Me
Sinful Manor
Sara Cate
Romantic Erotica, Contemporary Romance, New Adult & College Romance
Sourcebooks Casablanca
December 3, 2024
Paperback and Kindle
336

Their marriage of convenience is anything but… All Killian Barclay wants is to be left the hell alone. He's had enough heartache to last a lifetime, and he has no more need for love―earning him the reputation of a broody Scot and eventually turning his famous ancestral home into a den of iniquity. It doesn't take long for tales of his raunchy house parties to reach the rest of his family, though, inspiring them to hatch a plan to shake Killian out of his routine. New Yorker Sylvie Devereaux is tough as nails―as the daughter of famous yet neglectful parents, she's grown a hard shell and keeps everyone at arm's length. So when she sneaks into Barclay Manor during a trip to Scotland to get a glimpse of a famous heirloom, she doesn't anticipate facing off against the brutish, maddening highlander who lives there. And she certainly didn't expect to ever see the bastard again. Yet just weeks later, she's approached by Killian's family with a proposal―move to Scotland and marry Killian to improve his playboy reputation, and after one year, she'll walk away with ten million dollars. Sylvie agrees, even knowing that their plan is more deceptive than he realizes. But as she grows closer to Killian and the end of their year together, she has to decide: Is the love of a good man with a dark soul worth keeping, or is she willing to break Killian's heart now that it's well and truly hers? "This book has IT factor. Really loved it. Super sexy and angsty." ―Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author, for Praise.

Keep Me by Sara Cate doesn’t neglect the plot for spice. It has complex characters, spice, witty banter, and a hopeless conflict.

What you can expect:

  • Fake Marriage
  • HATE to lovers
  • Alphahole MC
  • Sassy FMC
  • Burly Scotsman
  • He falls first
  • Mental health rep
  • BDSM
  • Alcoholism
  • HEA

The first few chapters moved slowly, however, once the plot started to take off I became obsessed. It was hard to see how their visceral hate for one another could ever be more. They seemed to have more at odds than in common, but like with life, sometimes it takes a while to get to know someone. They both had challenges with vulnerability, which prevented them from seeing each other early on.

“Killian and I have always collided like two stars.”

It was hard to like either Killian or Sylvie at the start since they were both mean and selfish. I was shocked at how much I ended up loving them, both individually and as a couple. They both have past trauma but found ways to work through it throughout Keep Me.

“So, no one else loves you. Big deal. But I’m here, mo ghraidh. And I am telling you that I will love you enough to make up for all of them.”

Sara Cate is known for her spice and Keep Me didn’t disappoint. There are sex parties, BDSM, and plenty of spicy scenes. Their hate really makes the chemistry all that much better.

“Oh…Look who listens to me now.” Biting my lip, I fight a smile. “Don’t get too used to it.”

I fell in love with Killian and Sylvie and their love and struggles felt real to me, so much so that the end left me in tears. I was on a beach in Mexico, quietly sobbing drinking Mango Tangos. Sure, you can blame the rum, but I know my tears were real! Luckily there is a HEA but Cate doesn’t let you know that until the very last minute.

Final thoughts: This story ripped me apart and I still randomly think about Killian and Sylvie. Add it to your TBR!